Welcome sister,
Today I will share the following:
Autumn Equinox Overview
Reflection Practice
Sidereal Astrology Insight
Tarot Card Messages
Three-Day Celebration Plan
Autumn Equinox Meditation + Ritual (Video)
Support and Donations
Donations are welcome if you feel inspired to support the creation of these rituals and the life force behind them. Your support helps sustain the creative and spiritual work shared here. Thank you for your generosity!
Autumn Equinox: balance, reflection on harvest, releasing old stories, celebration, gratitude, transition, grounding, and renewal.
On the 22nd of September, at 12:44 GMT (8:44 EDT), all in the northern hemisphere will find ourselves at the Autumn Equinox - a moment marking the end of summer and the beginning of fall. This event occurs between the summer solstice and the winter solstice, when the Earth's hemisphere is perfectly balanced, receiving equal parts of daylight.
Today, let us explore the essence of the autumn equinox, this is the moment day and night are about equal in length. After this point, the nights become longer than the days. In the southern hemisphere, it is the opposite.
Throughout our time together, I will share rituals, ideas, and practices designed to guide you into the present moment, enabling you to fully experience and honor everything that arises within you during this time. I intend to find the answers from within. Nothing shared is set in stone, and rituals can be adjusted and adapted to serve you and your family.
Autumn Equinox Reflection
The Autumn Equinox can be a time of relief for many. It offers a shift from the high energy and spontaneity of summer, filled with social interactions, holidays, and unstructured days. Autumn welcomes a return to routine, introspection, and coziness. Conversely, for some, this transition might be challenging, as it requires moving away from the vibrancy of summer and embracing a quieter, more reflective period.
How do you feel?
Reflection Practice:
Since the Summer Solstice: Reflect on the journey since the summer solstice in June. Evaluate how your relationships, health, finances, and mental well-being have evolved. Consider any significant changes or experiences that stand out and how they have impacted you.
What Have You Learned? Contemplate the lessons and insights gained over this period. How have these experiences contributed to your personal growth? Recognize the wisdom and strength you have developed.
Creating Healthy Boundaries:
The Autumn Equinox is an ideal time to establish and reinforce healthy boundaries. This practice supports you in deepening your relationships while ensuring that you remain true to yourself. Boundaries help prevent you from losing yourself in others’ narratives and maintain your connection to your heart path. This period encourages you to create spaces where you can fully show up and contribute without compromising your own needs and values.
Where do I feel my boundaries are being challenged or crossed?
How do these challenges impact my well-being and personal growth?
What specific boundaries do I need to set or reinforce to protect my life force?
Community Connection:
Community can take many forms and may look different for everyone. Even if you live alone, you are still part of a community, whether it's your local neighborhood, online groups, or other networks. We cannot thrive in isolation; our connections with others, whether physical or virtual, are vital for our survival.
Visualize your community as an interconnected network, similar to the roots of trees that communicate and support one another beneath the surface. Reflect on your role within this network and the support you provide and receive.
Take a moment to acknowledge and offer a gift to nature and your community. This could be a small act of kindness, a contribution to a local cause, or a ritual of appreciation.
What is your role within your community network, and how do you contribute to and receive support from it?
What specific act of kindness or gesture of appreciation can you offer to nature or your community today, and how does this reflect your connection to the larger network?
Sidereal Astrology
Sidereal astrology is based on the actual positions of the Moon, stars, and planets in the sky, unlike tropical astrology, which follows a fixed system. Sidereal astrology aligns with the constellations, reflecting the true astronomical positions. I’m currently studying this out of interest, and I’d love to hear about your experiences with either system. Please comment below!
Sun and Moon: Balancing the Inner and Outer Worlds
Moon in Taurus (Inner)
In Taurus, "The Bull," you are attuning to what requires your inner strength and focusing on your purpose.
This is a time to refine your skills and recalibrate your awareness to your heart’s path. Take note of the resources you have around you that can support you, and be mindful of where you might be depleting yourself by focusing on what you lack.
Revise your routine and welcome practices that deepen your inner knowing. Taurus values grounding and connection to the body, so consider incorporating Earth-based practices like gardening, working with crystals, or cooking nourishing meals.
Taurus also welcomes sensual experiences, such as cozy drinks, fresh herbs, massages, and warm baths (okay, this is my list—what’s yours? 😊).
If you tend to feel sluggish at this time of year, what would help you spice things up? A morning walk, dancing, spices in your tea, or scheduling meet-ups with friends?
Or maybe you tend to overindulge at this time and fear the shift from how you feel in summer. Bring that awareness forward—what would support you in enjoying life with balance, while being fully present in your sensual experiences?
What brings you back to your body? Perhaps it’s a certain practice, environment, or perspective. And what doesn’t? Let this become very clear so that when a habit starts taking ownership of your awareness, you can pause and say, "I am choosing what nourishes me and keeps me on my path."
Sun in Virgo (Vital Life Force)
The Sun in Virgo brings a focus on organization, efficiency, and detailed work. This is a time to apply a compassionate and curious eye to areas of your life that need adjustment. Virgo energy thrives on creating order and improving systems, so consider where you can make small, impactful changes to protect and enhance your vitality.
Rituals and ceremonies can offer gentle structure as we transition into the longer nights. To support this, you might create a daily or weekly routine that aligns with Virgo’s love for order and refinement.
For example, you could establish a morning journaling practice to reflect on your goals or spend time each week decluttering one area of your home.
Virgo’s energy is also about practical care and healing, so this is an excellent time to focus on self-care routines that promote well-being. Think about what adjustments can help you maintain your energy and prevent burnout. This could include refining your diet, setting clearer boundaries, or organizing your work environment.
If you find this period overwhelming and tend to swing between obsession and disassociation, remember to approach these changes with a sense of joy and curiosity.
Ask yourself: How can I begin this process in a way that feels rewarding? What aspects of my life can I control, and what can I release to create more balance?
Autumn Equinox Reflection
The World Card
Drawing The World card for the Autumn Equinox signifies a time of achievement, fulfillment, and completion. It marks the successful culmination of long-term projects, personal growth, or significant life phases. This card encourages you to celebrate your accomplishments and appreciate the balance and harmony you’ve created. It’s a moment to reflect on the journey you’ve completed and express gratitude for the lessons learned along the way.
First Breath
The "First Breath" card from The Shaman’s Dream Oracle brings the energy of renewal and fresh starts. It signifies a time to let go of old stories and patterns that no longer serve you. This card invites you to embrace a beginner's mindset, acknowledging the past but not allowing it to hold you back. Now is the time to release lingering narratives and shift your perspective. By doing so, you create space for new opportunities and ways of showing up in the world.
Integrating Both Messages
Together, The World and First Breath offer a powerful message for this Autumn Equinox. As you celebrate the completion of one cycle with The World, First Breath urges you to release old patterns and embrace new beginnings. This balance between honoring the past and stepping into the future is essential for a smooth transition.
Reflect on what you’ve accomplished and take the time to celebrate your successes. At the same time, practice letting go of outdated stories and perspectives that no longer serve you. By doing so, you create space for renewal and growth.
In connection with the Autumn Equinox, this process involves releasing and grounding. As you let go of the old, consider grounding these releases into the Earth. This practice aligns with the natural cycle of the equinox, emphasizing both the release of what no longer serves and the readiness for new beginnings.
3 Day Celebration
Day 1: 21st September - Preparation
Organizing and Preparation: Clean the home, schedule for the 22nd, and sort items for charity shops and clothes swapping.
Preparing the Altar: Decorate with natural elements like leaves, dried corn, or grain, and use colors such as orange, red, and yellow. Include offerings that resonate with the season.
Food Preparation: Prepare for the feast with pancakes, including one half with chocolate to represent light and dark, and use harvest flour.
Hanging Dried Herbs: Display dried herbs to symbolize the harvest.
Day 2: 22nd September- Autumn Equinox
Feast: Share food with loved ones, offer to the Earth and ancestors, and enjoy sharing stories, music, and dance. Engage in whatever activities feel good and celebratory.
Prayer Flags: Create prayer flags for loved ones, writing beautiful memories, requests for forgiveness, and expressions of love and appreciation.
Automatic Writing: Engage in a question meditation to explore what is ready to be released to the Earth for composting and transformation.
Day 3: 23rd September Integration
Walk in Nature: Take a leisurely walk in nature, collecting a variety of leaves to create a leaf mobile. Pay attention to the colors and textures of the leaves as you gather them, appreciating their natural beauty.
Cozy Tea: Prepare a comforting tea with a blend of your favorite spices. This might include cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or cardamom. Enjoy this cozy beverage as a way to nourish yourself and embrace the seasonal change.
Tree Hugging: Spend some time in nature connecting with the trees. Hug a tree and express your gratitude for the support and grounding they provide. Allow yourself to feel connected to the natural world and reflect on the grounding and integrative energy of this season.
Autumn Equinox Ritual
1. Call in the Elements and Set Intentions
Find a comfortable position and close your eyes.
Earth: Invite the Earth to receive and compost what no longer serves you. Visualize the Earth transforming your old patterns into new opportunities for growth.
Air: Call upon the Air to hear your prayers and offer clarity. Imagine your intentions becoming clear and your mind opening to new insights.
Fire: Ask the Fire to redirect your focus to your inner light. Visualize the flames illuminating shadows and kindling your inner strength.
Water: Welcome the Water to soothe and replenish your spirit. Picture the flow of Water calming and renewing you.
Set your personal intention for this ritual. Take a moment to feel it deeply.
2. Balancing Breath Work
Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
Take a deep breath in through your nose, filling your lungs completely. Hold for a moment. Exhale slowly through your mouth, releasing any tension.
Inhale deeply again, drawing in balance and harmony. Hold. Exhale fully, letting go of anything that no longer serves you.
Repeat this process several times, focusing on achieving balance in your inner and outer worlds.
3. Question Reflection and Release
Reflect on the following questions:
What old stories or patterns are ready to be released and composted?
How have these patterns impacted my life, and what do I wish to change?
What new opportunities or insights am I open to receiving as I let go?
Write down your reflections.
Feel the Earth receiving and transforming these patterns. Allow yourself to release and let go.
4. Candle Ritual
Light a candle to symbolize bringing light into areas of your life that need illumination.
As you watch the flame, focus on how its light spreads into areas where you seek change or understanding.
Let the candle’s light represent clarity and insight.
Take the paper from the previous step.
Safely burn the paper or visualize it turning to ash. Imagine the ashes being absorbed by the Earth, transforming into new possibilities.
5. Palms Open Visualization
Place your palms open, facing up. Close your eyes and visualize light flowing through your center.
Imagine this light reaching down into the Earth, grounding and composting what you’ve released. Feel the connection with the Earth.
Visualize the light also reaching up to the sky, connecting with the vast openness above. Sense the clarity and openness of the Air.
Redirect your focus to your inner light, with the Fire helping you illuminate and energize your personal strength.
Feel the soothing and replenishing quality of Water, flowing around you and nurturing your spirit.
Allow yourself to fully receive this balanced energy from the elements.
6. Closing
Take a moment to express gratitude for the elements and for the insights gained during this ritual.
Feel the balance and renewal you’ve experienced. Carry this sense of clarity and growth with you as you move into the fall season.
Support and Donations
If you feel inspired to support the creation of these rituals and the life force behind them, donations are welcome. Your support helps sustain the creative and spiritual work shared here. Thank you for your generosity!
Lots of love, Danielle
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